Cryptoblepharus poecilopleurus (Weigmann, 1836)
Family: Scincidae Oceanic Snake-eyed Skink Status: Indigenous Description: Up to 45 mm SVL. This is a small slender “flattened” looking skink. The eyelid scale is clear and fused over eye, and it is unable to blink, hence the name “Snake-eyed Skink”. Snake-eyed skinks are variable in color and pattern but are generally a shade of brown and possess two dorsolateral stripes that fade into the coloration of the tail. The dorsal coloration between the two stripes is often marked by darker flecks. The sides are generally darker than the dorsum and are marked by light stippling. The coloration often matches the substrate that the lizard is found on. On Pagan Island, specimens found on the lava flows were very dark, almost black with indistinct stripes whereas those found in stands of Casuarina were tan to light brown. On the Mariana Islands this skink looks most similar to the moth skink (Lipinia noctua) and juveniles of the Mariana’s skink (Emoia slevini) may have a similar pattern. Both however have moveable eyelids. Biology: The snake-eyed skink inhabits a wide range of habitats throughout the Mariana Islands. The one thing that all habitats seem to have in common is that they are relatively open and sunny. It can be either arboreal or terrestrial but most populations tend to be one or the other. It can be found in open Casuarina forest, barren lava flows, beachside vegetation, landscaped yards and even beneath flotsam at the high tide line. C. poecilopleurus seems to occupy whatever niche is left open by sympatric species of skink. It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates including ants. Distribution: The snake-eyed skink probably occurs on every island of the Mariana chain. The only island for which specimens are lacking is Farallon de Medinilla and that is probably due to the inaccessibility of the island (it is an active bombing range). It has not been seen on Guam since 1969 and appears to be scarce on the other large islands (McCoid et al. 1995) McCoid M.J. G. H. Rodda and T.H. Fritts. 1995. Habitat Selection by Cryptoblepharus poecilopleurus (Scincidae) in the Mariana Islands. Micronesica 28(1) |